Australia hands over Bali eye facility to Indonesian Government

The Australian Government today handed over equipment and other assets provided under the Australia Bali Memorial Eye Centre support to the Indonesian Government in Denpasar, Bali.

The Australia Bali Memorial Eye Centre was built and equipped as part of the Australian Government’s assistance after the Bali bombing tragedy of 2002.

Australia has contributed A$10 million to build the eye centre, provide equipment, train staff, operate mobile clinics and give scholarships to health officials. The Centre became part of Rumah Sakit Indera in 2007.

Since 2011, ABMEC has become well established as a tertiary eye centre for Bali and Eastern Indonesia. Last year it treated approximately 41,000 patients at the centre, and many more through its mobile clinics and 66 community health centres.

“Today’s handing over ceremony is the culmination of an important partnership between our countries. We have been able to work together to improve health services for the people of Bali. Sufferers of conditions such as cataracts have been treated here, restoring not only their sight, but also their ability to work again and enjoy family life,” said, James Gilling, the head of Australia’s aid program for Indonesia.

“ABMEC’s mobile and community health centre network has delivered much-needed free eye operations, and other treatment for poor people in rural and remote areas of Bali. We are confident the Indonesian Government will be able to carry on the important work being carried out at the centre, and through the wider program,” said Mr Gilling.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Health and the Bali Governor, I Made Mangku Pastika represented the Indonesian and Provincial Governments at today’s ceremony.

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